Aaron celebrates his eighteenth on the quarterdeck

By LEUT Tom Lewis

MIDN Aaron Scott lashed up as flag hand for his 18th birthday at Creswell. Photo by PO Scott Revell.

Midshipman Aaron Scott had a unique way of celebrating his 18th birthday last week.

Two weeks into his New Entry Officer Course at the RAN College in Jervis Bay, Scott’s day had him “lashed up” or nominated, as Flag Hand for the daily ceremony of Colours.

For new trainees, participating in the Duty Watch is something they do many times during their six-month induction course.

It’s bad enough to have the eyes of many staff and all of the trainees on you, but Aaron would have been conscious of a little more attention than usual.

Fortunately, he performed with distinction.

Aaron, a Seaman Officer, follows the service of his step-father in joining the Navy: he saw 21 years of service and was the first curator of the then-Navy Museum at HMAS Albatross, now the Australian Museum of Flight.

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